Community Response Officer

North Somerset Council; Weston-super-Mare; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

North Somerset Council seeks a motivated Community Response Officer to enhance community safety through education and proactive engagement. This full-time role involves addressing anti-social behaviour and environmental crime, collaborating with local agencies, and implementing community-focused solutions. Ideal candidates should possess strong communication skills and experience in community engagement.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Local Government Pension

Opportunities for professional development

Inclusive staff groups and forums

Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Qualifications

• Experience working with communities and building partnerships.
• Knowledge of anti-social behaviour and relevant legislation.
• Ability to work independently and maintain professional boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Engage with residents and businesses to tackle community safety issues.
• Conduct high-visibility patrols to deter ASB and gather evidence.
• Support multi-agency plans addressing community safety challenges.

Skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Community engagement

Education

Vocational qualification or equivalent experience at Level 3 or 4

Job description

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

North Somerset's Safer Communities Team works to build stronger, safer communities through education, support, prevention, and enforcement. The team addresses a wide range of issues including anti-social behaviour, community safety, environmental crime, domestic abuse, and CCTV operations.

We are looking for a motivated, community-focused, and solutions-driven Community Response Officer to join our Safer Communities Service. Our service is committed to building safer, stronger communities through education, support, prevention, and enforcement activities.

As a Community Response Officer, you will play a vital frontline role in delivering services across a broad range of areas, including:

• Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)
• Community Safety and Crime Prevention
• Domestic Abuse awareness and safeguarding
• Environmental Crime prevention
• Hate Crime reporting and support
• Modern Slavery identification and signposting
• Prevent (Counter Terrorism) referrals
• Violence Reduction and Early Intervention initiatives

You will help reduce crime and the fear of crime by supporting victims, tackling risks and threats, and contributing to the overall safety and wellbeing of local communities. A key part of your role will be engaging with residents, businesses, and partner agencies to promote positive community involvement and support local problem-solving initiatives.

Problem-solving will be central to your daily activities — whether it’s identifying and addressing the causes of anti-social behaviour, resolving neighbourhood disputes, or supporting early interventions to prevent harm. You’ll be expected to assess situations, think on your feet, and apply appropriate and proportionate solutions to often complex and sensitive community issues.

In this role, you will be responsible for responding to community safety concerns, supporting the delivery of operational tasks, and ensuring interventions are handled efficiently and professionally. You will gather intelligence, conduct site visits, provide reassurance and advice to the public, and take necessary action to resolve problems and address breaches effectively.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is passionate about problem-solving and making a meaningful difference in local communities.

The role is full-time, 37 hours per week but we are open to considering applications from candidates seeking a four-day working week. Please note, the postholder will be expected to work a shift pattern (which will include early mornings, evenings and occasional weekends based on demand).

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with partners including Avon and Somerset Police, community groups, and other agencies to share intelligence and develop multi-agency plans addressing anti-social behaviour (ASB) and environmental crime.
• Conduct proactive, high-visibility patrols, gathering evidence of ASB and environmental crime offences, and using enforcement powers such as issuing warnings or seizing alcohol where appropriate.
• Liaise with internal council services (e.g. environmental health, waste, housing) to coordinate effective responses to ASB and environmental issues, and support the council’s emergency planning activities during major incidents.
• Provide advice and guidance to businesses, residents, and the public on community safety, ASB, and environmental crime legislation, ensuring compliance with relevant processes and standards.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

A valid driving licence is an essential condition for this role.

This position is currently based out of the CCTV Control Room in Waterloo Street, Weston-super-Mare.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Fixed Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 4+ days out of the office and conducting patrols in the community
• Spends most or all of their time in the office or on patrol, due to nature of the work but can be for reasons such as unsuitable home working conditions or a desire for separation of home and work life.
• The office remains a shared space with cultural encouragement for clear desk policies.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about Community Safety, and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Proven experience of working with communities, including community capacity building and partnership working.
• Practical knowledge and understanding of anti-social behaviour, community safety, or environmental health services, including relevant legislation and enforcement powers.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to present evidence clearly and confidently.
• Ability to work independently, manage workload without close supervision, and maintain professional boundaries and safeguarding awareness.

Desirable Criteria:

• Vocational qualification or equivalent experience at Level 3 or 4 relevant to the service area.
• Ability to drive and/or cycle around the District on a daily basis (a vehicle will be provided).

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share ourvision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Howard Pothecary, Safer Communities Service Manager, at [e-mail]

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.